Frame assembly for coupling an implement to a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A support frame assembly for supporting a plow, or another front-mounted implement, on a small vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”) is provided. The frame assembly comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is typically raised with respect to the rear portion, allowing the plow to be pivotally attached to the front of the frame assembly at a higher location. The rear portion comprises a locking mechanism allowing the frame assembly to be easily mounted to the underside of the vehicle. A releasing mechanism, operatively connected to the locking mechanism, allows for the easy removal of the frame assembly from the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/184,081, entitled “Frame Assembly forCoupling an Implement to a Vehicle”, and filed at the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office on Jul. 15, 2011. The present patentapplication also claims the benefits of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/365,077, entitled “Frame Assembly for Couplingan Implement to a Vehicle”, filed at the United States Patent andTrademark Office on Jul. 16, 2010. Both applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support frame assemblies to supportplows, implements, and other accessories on vehicles. More particularly,the present invention relates to support frame assemblies to supportplows, implements, and other accessories on small vehicles such asall-terrain vehicles (“ATV” or “ATVs”).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since a couple of years, the ATV market has been growing steadily.Moreover, ATV users have been using their vehicles for new tasks such assnow removal, load transport, etc. To help ATV users make the fullestuse of their vehicles, numerous accessories have been put on the market.For example, snow plow assemblies, traction kits, carrying cases,trailer hitches, etc.

However, in order for the ATV user to use an accessory to its fullcapacity, the accessory must be easy to use and more importantly, easyto install. In the field of support frame assemblies for snow plows andother front-mounted implements, this is even more important since theseassemblies are generally relatively heavy and thus difficult tomanipulate and install.

Support frame assemblies currently on the market are not easy and/or aretime consuming to install. In the vast majority of cases, when the useris alone, he or she (hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, only themasculine form will be used) must use brute force to install the frameassembly on his ATV. This comes from the fact that all the weight of theplow assembly rests on the ground. Thus, the user must overcome thefriction force between the ground and the plow. Moreover, since snowplows are generally made of metal, they can be relatively heavy and thefriction force between the ground and the plow can be relatively large.

Thus, in general, most frame assemblies currently on the market are moreeasily installed when two or more individuals are present.

Finally, in current frame assemblies, the pivotal connection between theplow and the frame assembly is usually located near the ground, makingit difficult for the plow to follow the irregularities of the groundsurface over which the plow is operated. The ATV is also more prone tosudden stops when the plow hits small obstacles. In that sense, when aplow mounted to a current frame assembly hits a small obstacle, thespeed of the ATV typically significantly reduced, causing the wheels tospin, sometimes to the point of losing all traction and stopping thevehicle. Plows mounted to current frame assemblies can hardly follow arough terrain because they operates only in two positions, namely whenthe plow is straight or flipped.

In view of the foregoing, there is indeed a need for a new and improvedsupport frame assembly for a plow or other implement which mitigates atleast some of the shortcoming of prior art support frame assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a support frame assembly forsupporting a plow or another front-mounted implement to a small vehiclesuch as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”).

Since the support frame assembly in accordance with the presentinvention can be used with implements and accessories other than plows,hereinafter, the term “plow” shall be construed broadly and shalltherefore relate to any front-mounted accessories such as plow, bladeand other similarly mounted implements.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the frameassembly provides an easier way to install and remove the frame assemblyto and from the vehicle, and/or provides a higher pivotal connectionbetween the plow and the frame assembly, allowing the plow to follow theirregularities of the ground surface more easily.

Hence, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, theframe assembly generally comprises a longitudinally extending framestructure having a front portion, where the plow is mounted, and a rearportion, where a locking mechanism is located.

In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, the frontportion of the frame assembly is raised with respect to the rear portionof the frame assembly. This raised front portion also comprises one ormore pivot points for pivotally connecting the plow to the frameassembly. The higher pivot points, which can be located directly on theframe assembly or on an angular adjustment mechanism, helps the plow tomore easily follow the irregularities of the ground surface and alsogenerally prevents the vehicle from stopping when the plow hits smallobstacles. In that sense, the higher location of the pivot pointsgenerally allows the lower portion of the plow to pivot rearwardly whenit contacts a small obstacle, thereby allowing the plow to pass over theobstacle(s) without stopping and allowing the vehicle to keep moving.

The higher location of the pivot points also provides a longer relativedistance between the frame assembly and the cutting edge of the plow(e.g. the lower edge which contacts the ground), thereby generallyreducing the transmission of shocks to the user and to the vehicle whenan impact occurs with a larger and/or more rigid obstacle. The longerrelative distance between the frame assembly and the cutting edge alsogenerally allows the vehicle to slow down over a longer distance, givinga smaller deceleration.

Still, to maintain the plow in an operative position, the frame assemblycomprises at least one but typically a pair of springs extending betweenthe front portion of the frame assembly, or of the angular adjustmentmechanism, and the lower portion of the plow such as to bias the lowerportion of the plow in a generally forward direction.

Understandably, the combination of the higher pivot points and of thesprings allows the lower portion of the plow to temporarily moverearwardly when the plow contacts a small obstacle. The springs bias thelower portion back to its normal operative position when the obstacle ispassed over.

As indicated above, the frame assembly can comprise an angularadjustment mechanism mounted to the front portion thereof. In accordancewith the principles of the present invention, by mounting the angularadjustment mechanism to the raised front portion and thus, at a higherlocation, the angular adjustment mechanism becomes more easilyaccessible. In that sense, having an adjustment handle at a higherlocation allows the user to more easily grab the handle and to do so ata more comfortable height.

Also, having the angular adjustment mechanism located at a higherlocation with respect to prior art support frame assemblies alsogenerally reduces the risks of having the angular adjustment mechanismfreezing during winter. Indeed, having the angular adjustment mechanismlocated at a higher location makes it less prone to snow and iceaccumulations.

Though not necessary, a plastic cover can be mounted over the angularadjustment mechanism to further prevent snow and ice accumulations. Theplastic cover can also provide a better overall look to the frameassembly.

In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, theframe assembly comprises a locking mechanism located on the rear portionof the frame. The locking mechanism allows the frame assembly to lockitself automatically upon installation and allows the frame assembly tobe easily unlocked by the user. The locking mechanism also ensures thatit will not unlock itself accidentally during use.

The locking mechanism typically allows a single user to install theframe assembly to the vehicle.

The locking mechanism comprises at least one but typically a pair ofspring-loaded retaining members.

To connect the frame assembly to the vehicle, the user typically parksthe vehicle approximately in the same axis as the frame assembly andattaches the winch hook, or directly the cable if no hook is present, toa hook, or cable, connecting member on the frame assembly, via a winchcable supporting member.

In that sense, the particular position of the winch cable supportingmember causes the frame assembly to position itself correctly under thevehicle when the winch is activated.

Then, as the winch continues to pull the frame assembly upwardly, theupward movement of the frame assembly forces open the spring-loadedretaining members which then lock onto one or more rods of the mountingplate (or mounting assembly) located underneath the vehicle.

An unlocking mechanism operatively connected to the locking mechanismand typically activated by a pedal or lever, allows the frame assemblyto be easily removed from the vehicle. In that sense, after havinglowered the front portion of the frame assembly to the ground with thewinch, the user simply depresses the pedal with one foot. The unlockingmechanism then forces open the spring-loaded retaining members,unlocking the locking mechanism from the mountings rods and allowing therear portion of the frame assembly to fall on the ground.

The support frame assembly in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention typically allows a more gradual movement of the plowwhen that latter encounters irregularities on the ground surface. Thegradual movement is made possible because the pivot point which connectsthe plow to the frame assembly is located at a higher location withrespect to prior art frame assemblies.

The support frame assembly in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention also generally simplifies the installation and removalof the support frame assembly to and from a vehicle.

In that sense, the support frame assembly in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention typically allows a single user toinstall and remove the support frame assembly to and from a vehicle, andgenerally with very little effort.

Other and further descriptions and advantages of the present inventionwill be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodimentsabout to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, andvarious advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled inthe art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following description,reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an embodiment of a frame assembly inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1, equippedwith a plow and attached to a schematic partially shown ATV.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the locking mechanism of the frame assemblyof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is bottom view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11 to 18 are side views showing the installation process and theremoval process.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a frame assemblyin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the frameassembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an exemplary mounting plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A novel frame assembly for coupling an implement to a vehicle will bedescribed hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms ofspecific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that theembodiments described herein are by way of example only and that thescope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

Referring to FIG. 1, a frame assembly 100 in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention is shown. The frame assembly 100generally comprises an angular adjustment mechanism 200, a releasing orunlocking mechanism 300, a longitudinally extending frame 400, and alocking mechanism 500. The assembly and the mechanisms are detailedhereunder.

Frame Assembly

As seen generally in the figures and more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2,the frame assembly 100 comprises the frame 400. The frame 400 generallyextends longitudinally and comprises a front or forward end portion 411and a rear or rearward end portion 415. In the present embodiment, theframe 400 is substantially H-shaped and comprises two longitudinalmembers 410 and 420.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 and particularly to FIG. 9, the forward endportion 411 of the frame 400, and of the members 410 and 420, is moreelevated then the rearward end portion 415.

Because of the symmetric nature of the members 410 and 420, only member410 will be described. At about a third of way, starting from theforward end portion 411, the member 410 is bent downwardly at 412,generally towards the ground. Then, at about three fifths of the way,starting from the forward end portion 411, the member 410 is slightlybent at 413 at a less pronounced angle. At about a fifth of the waystarting from the rearward end portion 415, the member 410 is then bentslightly upwardly at 414 in order for the locking mechanism 500 to reachthe mounting rods 551 and 552 of the mounting plate 550 connected to thevehicle 10 (see FIG. 3).

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 400 also comprises a winchcable supporting member 480 connected to and extending between themembers 410 and 420. In the present embodiment, the winch cablesupporting member 480 has a generally inverted ‘U’ shape. The frame 400also typically comprises a winch hook connecting member 472 to which thewinch hook 34 is to be connected.

As it will be best understood below, the position of the winch cablesupporting member 480 along the length of the frame 400 is typicallychosen by taking into account the center of gravity of the frameassembly 100 (when equipped with a plow 20), the position of the winch30 on the vehicle 10, and the position of the mounting plate 550underneath vehicle 10. In that sense, though not shown, the position ofthe winch cable supporting member 480 could be adjustable in order toaccommodate different configurations of winch position and mountingplate position.

As it will also be best understood below, having the forward end portion411 of the frame 400 located at a higher elevation with respect to therearward end portion 415 provides significant benefits such as having aneasier access to the angular adjustment mechanism 200 and having ahigher pivot point for the plow 20 (see FIG. 3).

Angular Adjustment Mechanism

The general configuration of angular adjustment mechanisms is generallyknown in the art and only certain aspects will be detailed herein.

In the present embodiment, the angular adjustment mechanism 200 is thelink between the plow 20 (or any other implement) and the frame 400, andallows the adjustment of the angle of the plow 20 with respect to alongitudinal axis of the frame 400.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the angularadjustment mechanism 200 is mounted to the forward end portion 411 ofthe frame 400 such that the angular adjustment mechanism 200 is alsolocated at a higher elevation.

Since the angular adjustment mechanism 200 is located higher, theangular adjustment mechanism 200 is more accessible to the user. Indeed,the handle 210, which allows the angle of the plow 20 to be changed, ismore accessible.

Also, by having the angular adjustment mechanism 200 located at a higherlocation, the angular adjustment mechanism 200 becomes less prone tofreezing during winter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 9, the elevated position of the angularadjustment mechanism 200 provides for the higher elevation of the pivotpoints 220 and 230. Pivot points 220 and 230 are the points where theplow 20 is directly pivotally connected to the angular adjustmentmechanism 200.

The angular adjustment mechanism 200 also comprises a laterallyextending support member 240 which supports a pair of springs 250 and260. The springs 250 and 260 extend between the support member 240 andthe lower portion of the plow 20 (see FIG. 3). The springs 250 and 260bias the lower portion of the plow 20 forwardly (i.e. in an operativeposition) but still allows the lower portion of the plow 20 to pivotrearwardly with respect to pivot points 220 and 230.

Indeed, the combination of the higher pivot points 220 and 230 and ofthe springs 250 and 260 allows the plow 20 to pivot rearwardly when thelower portion of the plow 20 contacts small obstacles, thereby allowingthe plow 20 to pass over small obstacles.

Understandably, in other embodiments, the angular adjustment mechanism200 could be omitted. In those embodiments, the pivot points 220 and 230would be located directly on the front end portion 411 of the frame 400,and the support member 240 would be mounted to, or extend from, thefront end portion 411 of the frame 400. The springs 250 and 260 wouldstill extend between the support member 240 and the lower portion of theplow 20.

Locking Mechanism

As seen generally in the figures and more particularly in FIG. 4, therearward end portion 415 of the frame 400 comprises a locking mechanism500 configured to releasably engage a mounting plate 550 (see FIG. 22)secured to the underside of the vehicle 10.

In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 500 comprises a pair ofside plates 530 and 540 to which are respectively mounted spring-loadedretaining members 510 and 520.

The main use of the retaining members 510 and 520, in cooperation withthe plates 530 and 540, is to securely attach the frame 400 of the frameassembly 100 to the mounting plate 550 connected to the vehicle, andmore particularly to the mounting rods 551 and 552 (see FIG. 22).

The retaining members 510 and 520 are two symmetric pieces of equipment.Because of their symmetric nature, only retaining member 510 will bedescribed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, retaining member 510 is broadly configuredas a hook and comprises a round bottom portion 511 and a pointed topportion 512. The top portion 512 of the retaining member 510 is alsocurved or bent outwardly from the frame 400, allowing it to slidehorizontally along a similarly curved top portion 531 of the side plate530. The top portion 512 of the retaining member 510 has a slope 516(also seen on the other retaining member 520 as 526). At the end of theslope 516 of the pointed portion 512 is a curved recess 513 which has aradius generally matching the radius of the mounting rods 551 and 552 ofthe mounting plate 550.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the recess 513 cooperates with thesimilarly curved bottom 532 of the side plate 530 to form a generallycircular opening 535 when the retaining member 510 is in lockedposition. Understandably, the opening 535 is properly sized to receiveone of the mounting rods 551 and 552.

The retaining member 510 and the plate 530 respectively compriseextensions or ears 514 and 534, bent outwardly, between which extends aspring 555. The spring 555 is generally configured to maintain theretaining member 510 in a locked position.

The retaining member 510 is pivotally connected to the side plate 530 at553 via the second rotating member 360 of the quick-release mechanism300 which extends through the side plate 530 (and also through sideplate 540).

In the present embodiment, the retaining member 510 and 520 areinterdependent with the second rotating member 360 of the quick-releasemechanism 300 such that rotation of the second rotating member 360causes pivotal movement of both retaining member 510 and 520 and suchthat the pivotal movement of one of the retaining member 510 and 520causes the pivotal movement of the other of the retaining member 510 and520.

To prevent excessive rotation of the retaining member 510, stoppers 537and 538 are provided on the side plate 530.

Due to the symmetric nature of the side plates 530 and 540 and of theretaining members 510 and 520, and as shown in FIG. 7, the arrangementof the retaining member 520 with the side plate 540 and the spring 565is essentially identical to the arrangement of the retaining member 510with the side plate 530 and the spring 555.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the lockingmechanism 500 works in cooperation with the winch hook connecting member472 and more particularly with the winch cable supporting member 480 toautomatically lock itself to the vehicle 10 upon activation of the winch30.

To do so, the winch cable supporting member 480, under which the winchcable 32 passes (see FIGS. 12 and 12A), needs to be located along thelength of the frame 400 such than when the locking mechanism 500 issubstantially vertically aligned with the mounting rods 551 and 552 ofthe mounting plate 550, the winch cable supporting member 480 issubstantially vertically aligned with the winch 30. Hence, as bestillustrated in FIG. 11, the longitudinal distance 485 between the winchcable supporting member 480 and the locking mechanism 500 should besubstantially equal to the longitudinal distance 35 between the winch 30and the mounting rods 551 and 552. Understandably, the position of thewinch cable supporting member 480 could be adjustable (or adjusted) toobtain the proper longitudinal distance 485.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the winch hook connectingmember 472 is located longitudinally between the plow 20 and the winchcable supporting member 480.

It is to be understood that when a plow 20 is mounted to the frameassembly 100, the center of gravity of the plow 20/frame assembly 100 isgenerally located between the plow 20 and the winch cable supportingmember 480.

Hence, as the winch 30 pulls on the frame assembly 100, the winch 30will drag the plow 20/frame assembly 100 toward the vehicle 10 until thewinch cable supporting member 480 is substantially vertically alignedwith the winch 30 and the locking mechanism 500 is substantiallyvertically aligned with the mounting rods 551 and 552. At this point,the portion of the winch cable 32 between the winch 30 and the winchcable supporting member 480 should be substantially vertical.

Then, as the winch 30 further pulls, the rear portion of the frameassembly 100 will rise, causing the retaining members 510 and 520 to beurged against the mounting rods 551 and 552, and forcing the retainingmembers 510 and 520 to pivot open until the mounting rods are fullyreceived into the openings 535 and 545.

Releasing Mechanism

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, in the present embodiment, the frameassembly 100 comprises a releasing mechanism 300 of the quick-releasetype.

The quick-release mechanism 300 generally comprises a lever such as apedal 301 which can be depressed by the user. In that sense, the pedal301 is typically located more toward the front end portion 411 of theframe 400 such as to be easily accessible by the user.

The pedal 301 is connected to a first rotating member 310 which ispivotally supported by the frame 400. The first rotating member 310 isfurther pivotally connected to a first arm or linkage 320, which isfurther pivotally connected to a second arm or linkage 340. The secondlinkage 340 is also pivotally supported by a laterally extendingsupporting member 345 as shown in FIG. 1.

The second linkage 340 is further pivotally connected to a third arm orlinkage 330 which is finally pivotally connected to the second rotatingmember 360 via an extension 350 radially extending therefrom.

As can be shown in FIG. 1, though the second linkage 340 is pivotallyconnected to the first linkage 320, to the supporting member 345, and tothe third linkage 330, in the present embodiment, the three pivot pointson the second linkage 340 are all distinct.

Once the pedal 301 is depressed by the user, the quick-release mechanism300 causes the rotation of the second rotating member 360 via thearticulated linkages 320, 330 and 340. As the second rotating member 360rotates, it causes to the retaining members 510 and 520 to pivot open,thereby allowing the mounting rods 551 and 552 to exit the lockingmechanism 500. Once the mounting rods 551 and 552 are no longer retainedby the retaining members 510 and 520, the frame assembly 100 becomesdisconnected from the mounting plate 550 and the frame assembly 100 isfree to fall on the ground by its own weight.

Hence, by simply depressing the pedal 301 with his foot, the user caneasily disconnect the frame assembly 100 from the mounting plate 550.

General Functioning

The frame assembly 100 is connected to the mounting plate 550 by meansof an automatic locking mechanism 500 activated by the vehicle winch 30.In that sense, the frame assembly 100 does not typically need to bemanually hooked to the mounting plate 550 of the vehicle and does nottypically need more than one person to install the frame assembly 100 tothe vehicle 10.

In use, the user parks his vehicle 10 approximately in the same axis asthe frame assembly 100, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. Then he passes thecable 32 under the winch cable supporting member 480 and attaches thewinch hook 34 to the winch hook connecting portion 472.

As seen in FIGS. 13 to 15, the user then activates the winch 30 to pulland raise the frame assembly 100 in its mounted position. Upon contactwith the mounting rods 551 and 552, the retaining members 510 and 520pivot open and until the mounting rods 551 and 552 are fully receivedinto the recesses 513 and 523, at which point the springs 555 and 565pull back the retaining members 510 and 520 in their locked position.The frame assembly 100 is now ready to be used.

If, as shown in FIG. 12A, during the installation, the vehicle 10 is notproperly positioned over the frame assembly 100 such that the winch 30is substantially vertically aligned with winch cable supporting member480, then, the winch 30, in cooperation with the winch cable supportingmember 480, will cause the frame assembly 100 automatically correctlypositioned itself.

Indeed, due to the position of the winch cable supporting member 480,the pulling motion (see arrows 33) of the cable 32 will cause the frameassembly 100 to be dragged toward the vehicle 10 (see arrow 37) untilthe winch cable supporting member 480 is substantially aligned with thewinch 30 and the locking mechanism 500 is substantially aligned with themounting rods 551 and 552 of the mounting plate 550, as in FIG. 12.

Understandably, though FIG. 12A illustrates a situation wherein thevehicle 10 is rearwardly misaligned with the frame assembly 100 (i.e.the vehicle 10 is behind the proper position), the automatic alignmentof the frame assembly 100 would also work if the vehicle 10 wasforwardly misaligned with the frame assembly 100 (i.e. the vehicle 10 isin front of the proper position).

Typically, if the frame assembly 100 is positioned reasonably in thesame plane as the vehicle 10 (e.g. plus or minus 10 degrees, plus orminus 3 inches sideways), the winch 30 will position and lock the frameassembly 100 in place with without further assistance.

When the frame assembly 100 must be removed, the user first unwinds thewinch cable 32 such as to lower the frame assembly 100 as much aspossible and then detaches the cable 32 from the frame assembly 100.Then, the user depresses the pedal 301 that will force open theretaining members 510 and 520. No longer connected to the mounting rods551 and 552, the frame assembly 100 will fall on the ground by its ownweight, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18.

Hence, a single user can easily install and remove the frame assembly100 on his vehicle 10 (e.g. ATV) alone, without additional humanassistance.

FIGS. 19 to 21 show different embodiment for the frame assembly 100. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the supporting member 345 (see FIG. 1)is replaced by a small supporting rod 450 connected to the frameassembly 100. In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, the winch cablesupporting member 580 comprises a loop through which the winch cable 32is inserted.

It is to be understood that though the present embodiment incorporatesboth the more elevated front portion 411 and the combination of thewinch cable support member 480 and the locking mechanism 500, the moreelevated front portion 411 could be used with a different lockingmechanism and the combination of the winch cable support member 480 andthe locking mechanism 500 could be used with a frame assembly whereinthe front portion is not more elevated then the rear portion.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood thatthe inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employedand that the appended claims are intended to be construed to includesuch variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A frame assembly for supporting animplement on a vehicle, the frame assembly comprising a front portionand a rear portion, the front portion being configured to pivotallysupport the implement according to a first pivot axis, the rear portionbeing configured to releasably engage a mounting location underneath thevehicle, the rear portion being pivotable with respect to the vehicleaccording to a second pivot axis when the frame assembly is mountedthereto, wherein when the frame assembly is mounted to the vehicle on aplanar ground surface and the implement is in contact with the ground,the first pivot axis is located at a higher elevation than the secondpivot axis.
 2. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frontportion comprises an angular adjustment mechanism, the angularadjustment mechanism comprising the pivotal support for pivotallysupporting the implement.
 3. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 2,wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprises at least one spring,one extremity of the at least one spring being pivotally connected tothe angular adjustment mechanism and the other extremity beingconfigured to be connected to the implement.
 4. A frame assembly asclaimed in claim 3, wherein the pivotal connection between the oneextremity of the at least one spring and the angular adjustmentmechanism defines a third pivot axis, and wherein the third pivot axisis located longitudinally behind the first pivot axis.
 5. A frameassembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the frame assembly ismounted to the vehicle, the third pivot axis is located at a higherelevation than the second pivot axis.
 6. A frame assembly as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprises two springs.7. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear portioncomprises a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being configured toreleasably engage the mounting location underneath the vehicle.
 8. Aframe assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle, the frameassembly comprising: a) a frame comprising a front portion and a rearportion, the front portion being at a higher elevation than the rearportion; b) an angular adjustment mechanism located at the front portionof the frame, the angular adjustment mechanism comprising at least onefirst pivot point for pivotally supporting the implement, the at leastone first pivot point defining a first pivot axis; c) a lockingmechanism located at the rear portion of the frame and configured toreleasably engage a mounting location underneath the vehicle, thelocking mechanism comprising at least one second pivot point forallowing the frame assembly to pivot with respect to the vehicle whenthe frame assembly is mounted thereto, the at least one second pivotpoint defining a second pivot axis; wherein when the frame assembly ismounted to the vehicle on a planar ground surface and the implement isin contact with the ground, the first pivot axis is located at a higherelevation than the second pivot axis.
 9. A frame assembly as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprises at least oneresilient member, one extremity of the at least one resilient memberbeing pivotally connected to the angular adjustment mechanism and theother extremity being configured to be connected to the implement.
 10. Aframe assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivotal connectionbetween the one extremity of the at least one resilient member and theangular adjustment mechanism defines a third pivot axis, and wherein thethird pivot axis is located longitudinally behind the first pivot axis.11. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the frameassembly is mounted to the vehicle, the third pivot axis is located at ahigher elevation than the second pivot axis.
 12. A frame assembly asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprisestwo resilient members.
 13. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 12,wherein the resilient members are two springs.
 14. A frame assembly incombination with an implement, the combination comprising: a) alongitudinally extending frame comprising a front portion and a rearportion, the front portion being at a higher elevation than the rearportion; b) an angular adjustment mechanism located at the front portionof the frame, the angular adjustment mechanism pivotally supporting theimplement such as to define a first pivot axis, the angular adjustmentmechanism comprising at least one resilient member, the at leastresilient member comprising a first extremity pivotally connected to theangular adjustment mechanism such as to define a second pivot axis, anda second extremity pivotally connected to the implement such as todefine a third pivot axis; wherein the first pivot axis is locatedhigher than the third pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis islocated behind the first pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis islocated behind the third pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis islocated higher than the third pivot axis and wherein the third pivotaxis is located lower than any connection between the implement andsupport frame.
 15. A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein the atleast one resilient member is a spring.
 16. A combination as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprises two of theat least one resilient member.
 17. A combination as claimed in claim 16,wherein the two resilient members are two springs.
 18. A combination asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising a locking mechanism located atthe rear portion of the frame and configured to releasably engage amounting location underneath the vehicle, the locking mechanismcomprising at least one pivot point for allowing the frame assembly topivot with respect to the vehicle when the frame assembly is mountedthereto, the at least one pivot point defining a fourth pivot axis. 19.A combination as claimed in claim 18, wherein when the frame assembly ismounted to the vehicle, the first pivot axis is located at a higherelevation than the fourth pivot axis.
 20. A combination as claimed inclaim 19, wherein when the frame assembly is mounted to the vehicle, thesecond pivot axis is located at a higher elevation than the fourth pivotaxis.
 21. A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein the implement isa plow.